HC Deb 13 January 1981 vol 996 c490W
42. Mr. Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to encourage secondary school pupils to take up careers in industry.

Mr. Macfarlane

Direct responsibility for careers education and guidance rests with individual local education authorities and schools. However, the Government are active in drawing attention to the importance of ensuring that the education and guidance given includes proper reference to the careers opportunities in industry available to pupils and in continuing to encourage the creation and development of links between schools and industry at both national and local levels. This is also one of the main themes underlying the 10 regional meetings, currently being held under ministerial chairmanship, which give representatives of education and of industry the opportunity to examine the relevance to working life of present educational policies. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has also drawn attention to the matter in a memorandum of guidance on the careers service which he has recently issued to local education authorities.